ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book discusses the evolution of the Soviet approach toward European security policy since the mid-1980s, as seen from the prism of assessments of and policy toward the Federal Republic of Germany. It addresses the general context within which the Soviets have framed their policy toward the Federal Republic of Germany, while the remaining parts focus specifically upon Soviet assessments of the Federal Republic from 1985-1990. The book presents Soviet assessments of West Germany in the early Gorbachev period (1985-1987). It examines Soviet perspectives on West Germany from 1987 to 1989. The book identifies the main elements of the Gorbachev Administration's public diplomacy toward the Federal Republic from 1985-1989. It also addresses how Soviet analysts debated the issue in the year of unification parameters of the debate are identified at outset and then detailed treatments for each month are provided through December 1990.
